It Appears Bucs Turning Page On Caddy
October 5th, 2010
The Bucs’ running game is basically anemic. It frustrates Joe as much as it does other Bucs fans.
Looking at the numbers and the scars on his knees, it appears that the Bucs braintrust has concluded that Cadillac Williams is no longer the go-to guy in the Bucs backfield. That’s the suggestion from Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune who writes the Bucs are already making plans for the post-Cadillac era in Tampa Bay.
Few believed he could overcome two serious knee injuries to play in the NFL again. Most thought his career was in jeopardy after the first surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in 2007. Williams’ career seemed just about over after his second season-ending knee injury in 2008.
Although Williams returned and was productive last season, Tampa Bay is seemingly laying the groundwork to find his replacement.
Tampa Bay (2-1) plans to incorporate rookie running back LeGarrette Blount and Kareem Huggins into its running attack against Cincinnati (2-2) on Sunday. Williams is in no immediate danger of losing his starting position, but his reps could decrease if Blount and Huggins flourish.
Look, no one appreciates Caddy more than Joe. The guy has the heart of a lion. If half of the NFL players had as much desire to produce at his craft (rather than chase a Kardashian, ahem) as Caddy, man, the NFL would be truly special.
But it just comes down to simply physics. A running back, in his upper-20s no less, playing on two man-made knees, is not a good thing.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:04 am
2.5 yards per carry is the lowest by any starting running back in the league. It’s been time to move on for awhile now. I’m glad the coaching staff finally sees it.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Blount gave us Tampa fans goosebumps at the Stadium the way he runs. You could see the Steelers were surprised by him. I like him a lot.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:33 am
The ground should be the way to go this week, Cinci is 9th vs. pass and 15th vs. rush. Giving up a little more than 100 yard per game.
It really may be the line though. I saw the Patriots get a running game going last night with some guy they picked up after the Jets cut him.
While Blount and Huggins may be able to run what concerns me is their abilities to block when the bengals blitz. Thats one thing caddy is still pretty good at. I saw Spiller struggle mightily with that for the Bills.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Boy, wouldn’t this coaching staff look BRILLIANT if they could take Mike Williams and LeGarette Blount into great players and they behaved themselves. I am getting excited about the offensive potential for the first time since…………. well,ever!
October 5th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I agree with Eric’s post(whaaa?). Young backs typically struggle in pro style pass protection. Have to make sure that doesn’t create a new issue. Damn, almost ready to agree with Joe. Caddy might not be close enough to the Back he once was to suceed in the Ground Game . . . But he sure is the kinda kid that it breaks your heart to give up on. . Sometimes a guy can’t suceed, even if he really deserves to . .
October 5th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
The Bucs have Eric Lorig activated as a Tight End/Full back wearing no. 44. That means Ernest will be the in between the numbers running back again. I think they already have seen the toll the season is taking on Caddy and they are prepared.
October 5th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
If you can pound the ball the way Blount was every single time he got the ball it doesn’t really matter if he blows a pass protection or two. The rushing yards far outweigh his inexperience in pass protection. People need not to forget about Ernest Graham either. He lost his starting halfback position for basically no reason at all. Caddy never showed any reason since he came back why he should have automatically jumped over Ernest. If you cant make Blount the starter cuz he cant protect, then make Graham the starter(still by far our most polished all around back seriously its not even close)and supplement him with Blount. Its time to make a claim on that “insurance policy” Raheem. Seriously put a true fullback on the field(i know there’s one laying around somewhere-pressley?) and screw thunder and lightning. Lets have Thunder and Thunder!!! Blount and Graham FTW!! Then you can stick Huggins in for those 3rd down draw plays and actually have the threat of him converting the first down.
October 5th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
@gitarlvr
I agree. Graham is our best back by far and up until the time Raheem just took his job away from him, he was very good. After Cadillac’s first injury in 2007, he had a fantastic season. In 2008, he was doing great also before his ankle injury.
But I’ll just hear the typical BS such as he’s too injury prone, he’s not the same back, or he’s too old. If some of you are judging Graham just by the few carries and the fumble he had vs. the Browns, don’t. Of course he’s going to be rusty after being stuck at fullback for over a year. I also really don’t remember Graham being injured that much. And guys, who cares if he’s 30 or 31 or whatever age he is. He’s currently a Buccaneer so let’s utilize his talents and let him get us yards and touchdowns. One of the best things about Graham is that he was always able to bust off big runs. While I still think Cadillac can do it, he hasn’t broken off too many of them lately.
It really annoys me how they’ll choose Blount and Huggins over Graham, who’s a proven running back that’s gotten the job done for us.